Tracking the unknown: preliminary findings from satellite tracked tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae)

The critically endangered tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae), New Zealand’s rarest endemic bird, faces ongoing threats from habitat loss, predation, and climate change. Conservation efforts have included captive rearing and release programs, yet post-release survival and dispersal patterns remain poorly understood. This study presents the first satellite tracking data using lightweight Argos transmitters of three juvenile captive-reared tara iti. Our aim was to assess habitat use patterns, dispe